Characteristics of unrefined coconut oil

Modern technologies allow access to completely different products that previously simply could not appear in our country - such as unrefined coconut oil, for example, today. The value of this substance increases due to the fact that it allegedly can be used for various purposes, but due to the lack of a tradition to use it, most potential consumers do not even know how such a product should look.

Unrefined coconut oil, like many other similar products, usually looks like a thick and rather solid mass of white. The key difference of this fat is that it has a melting point even lower than that of a creamy counterpart - 25 degrees above zero is enough for the mass to turn into a yellowish liquid. However, from this it does not lose its useful properties, just consumers should be ready for such a turn of events.

Coconut oil is always natural so far - at this moment nothing is known about unscrupulous manufacturers who have put the production of this substance on stream with the active use of various additives. At the same time, there is a lot of saturated fat in the product, and they alone protect the mass from oxidation and increase the shelf life.

Organic coconut oil is extracted by hot or cold pressing of pre-dried copra - the soft inside of the nut. In the first case, productivity increases, because from each kilogram of white mass you can get 1.5 cups of oil, but it is better (and more expensive) to buy cold pressed product - the output decreases threefold, but absolutely all useful components are saved.

Coconut oil is pure, that is unrefined, and specially purified. Visually, the difference lies in the fact that the crude product is much darker - it is literally yellow, while the purified versions can be almost white even in liquid form. It is easiest to distinguish a refined substance by color, since in most cases sellers will not be allowed to open a can in advance, but if there is such an opportunity, pay attention to another difference - the refined product has almost no smell, whereas unrefined has a characteristic coconut smell. On packages of the latter, the word virgin is usually present.

As it should be for any product of predominantly fat content, the caloric content of coconut oil is very high - it is 899 kcal per 100 grams. Therefore, it is impossible to abuse this product, otherwise the figure will suffer greatly.

Most of the fatty acids in this product are both saturated (lauric - over 50%) and monounsaturated (oleic) or polyunsaturated. This substance is rich in vitamins - first of all, E, as well as C, B1, B2 and B3, K and A. Many useful trace elements are also present, among which calcium and iron are particularly prominent. Coconut oil is good for the human body due to various complex compounds like betaine, polysorbate or monoglyceride.

Versatile use of coconut oil can bring effect in various areas of health and beauty. Experts point out that coconut oil, especially in its unrefined form, provides such advantages:

• restores damaged hair and makes it stronger;
• promotes weight loss;
• moisturizes the skin and contributes to the tightening of wounds and scratches, protects it from any external irritants, promotes a uniform and attractive tan;
• stimulates the body to actively deal with any ailments;
• has anti-inflammatory effect;
• strengthens nail plates, makes them healthy;
• strengthens the condition of the body as a whole;
• helps to fight against bacteria and fungi more effectively;
• stimulates the secretory function of two glands - the thyroid and pancreas;
• reduces the symptoms of internal damage to the stomach and intestines, allows you to quickly eliminate the problem;
• due to its rich vitamin-mineral composition, it avoids many completely different diseases, including atherosclerosis and osteoporosis, caries and cancer.

Of course, even a medicine can be harmful if it is used uncontrollably or incorrectly, so be careful with coconut oil. An excess of this ingredient in the diet can trigger poisoning or allergies., and with regular abuse of this fat in combination with others, exacerbation of such illnesses as pancreatitis or cholecystitis is possible. In general, the product does not have any contraindications, and if you did not notice any negative consequences after using coconut chips, then the oil should not create problems.

There are many ways to use unrefined oil. Initially, it was considered solely a food product for oral administration, but today it is a popular cosmetic for external use and even medicine of traditional medicine.

In our country, unrefined coconut oil is mainly used for cosmetic purposes, and it can be applied both in pure form and as part of a product with other ingredients. By itself, the oil can be applied both in solid and in melted form - it will melt in any case from contact with warm skin, but it is better to make composite products based on heated liquid.

This product moisturizes the skin well and also combats wrinkles, sagging, peeling and eczema, therefore it is a popular base for various lotions. Additional nutrition and protection from adverse weather events, provided by the use of such a tool, allow you to apply it in the form of face cream. In addition, the same liquid is applied to the skin for a beautiful tan and as a mask for dry skin.

In our country, coconut oil is rarely used as food - to fry dishes more logical on cheaper and affordable types of fat. However, for Asian dishes such a product may be more authentic. Coconut oil is well suited for frying and baking, especially since the characteristic coconut flavor makes baking even more delicious. In the solid form of such a product, you can make an unusual sandwich that will find its connoisseurs among true gourmets.

Amazingly, there are already recipes based on coconut oil, using typically "our" ingredients. For example, for the treatment of acne using a mask based on coconut oil with lemon juice, honey and aromatic oils of lavender and tea tree - the fair sex often varies slightly proportions based on the needs of their own skin. Inflammation or irritation of the skin will remove the composition on the basis of chamomile infusion and oatmeal porridge, diluted with the same coconut oil and other ingredients.

The beauty of recipes based on this ingredient is that it combines well with other cosmetics. This allows a woman who is well-versed in home cosmetology to create her own beauty recipes using the components at hand and achieving the goals that are set specifically for her.

They say that coconut oil can be stored in the refrigerator for a whole year - this is true, but you still have to comply with certain conditions. First of all, for such a long-term storage, a temperature of no more than +7 degrees is needed, but you should not put such a product in the freezer. There are assertions that storage is allowed within 20 degrees, but then the product will last not a year, but, say, a week.

Secondly, the fundamental point is the absence of light. The substance must be stored in darkened bottles, and if it was sold in ampoules in a cardboard box, then it should not be thrown away, storing the substance directly in it. Tightness is also very important - if the container is not tightly closed, the oil quickly becomes bitter and gets uncharacteristic odors. Humidity above 60% also will not benefit the purchase.

We still have unrefined coconut oil is rare - most often it is brought by tourists from Thailand, where it costs a penny. There, it is better not to buy it on the market, but in pharmacies or supermarkets (we have this condition even more important) - only this way certain quality assurance is likely. If the product in terms of color and smell meets the criteria described above, then this oil will bring invaluable benefits to the body and will allow you to indulge any gourmet, as evidenced by numerous comments on the net.

On the use of unrefined coconut oil in cosmetology, see below.